The HEALTH Research Institute leverages an interdisciplinary group of researchers at the University of Houston to advance science capable of meeting the health needs of the Houston community and beyond. More specifically, our primary mission is to conduct cutting-edge research that informs novel prevention and intervention strategies that mitigate a broad range of health disparities. Our partnerships with community stakeholders will inform a growing public health challenge through multi-site cooperative trials, public health initiatives, and empowering dissemination activities that are embedded in the cultural fabric of the communities we serve. Learn About Membership>

Health disparities are differences in the incidence, prevalence, mortality, and/or burden of disease seen between specific population groups that arise as a result of unfair, unjust, and unnecessary societal inequities that systematically confer disadvantage in the attainment of full health potential.

Innovation

We are actively engaged in innovative and rigorous scientific inquiry that will generate new knowledge that exerts a sustainable impact on mitigating – and ultimately eliminating – health disparities.

Empowerment

Our collective impact is dependent on our capacity to partner with stakeholders to derive a shared vision that ultimately empowers community-embedded change agents who are equipped to improve their quality and length of life.

Solutions

We are dedicated to working with our community to discover and promote sustainable solutions to real-world health challenges.

By the Numbers: Illustrations of health disparities

African American women are more likely to die of breast cancer than any other racial group.

7 in 10 new HIV diagnosis among Latinos occur in gay and bisexual men.

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Although only about 25% of adults in the U.S. have some form of mental illness or substance use disorder, these individuals consume 40% of the cigarettes smoked in the United States

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African Americans are the number one racial / ethnic group affected by HIV/AIDS in U.S. and represent 41% of the US population living with the disease. 14% don't know they're infected.

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African Americans lead the country in years of potential life lost (YPLL) when considering all causes of death with a 46% increase in YPLL in comparison to the general population.

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Latino and African American populations are 70% more likely to have diagnosed diabetes in comparison to their European American counterparts.